Kenya’s men’s and women’s basketball teams experienced a challenging start to their campaign at the Africa Beach Games in Hammamet, Tunisia, suffering defeats in their opening matches on Wednesday.
The men’s team faced tough competition from North African opponents Algeria and hosts Tunisia, losing both group matches. Similarly, the women’s team was defeated by Mali in their first game.
In their initial encounter, the men’s team endured a 21-9 defeat against Algeria, with Hadi Dalil leading the scoring for the Algerians with nine points. David Gichohi emerged as Kenya’s top scorer, contributing four of the team’s nine points.
Algeria swiftly gained the upper hand, establishing a 10-4 lead within the first four minutes. Gichohi’s efforts brought Kenya closer to narrowing the gap but ultimately fell short. Algeria’s adept ball handling, particularly by Hadil, and the dominance of their big man, Messaouadi Faredj, on the boards, secured their victory.
Facing the physically superior Tunisian team, the Kenyan men struggled to mount a significant challenge, resulting in a third-place finish in their group. They will now await their match against the second-placed team from Pool B, where a victory would secure them a spot in the semi-finals.
On the other hand, the women’s team faced a 21-14 defeat against Mali in their opening match. Coach Everline Kedogo expressed disappointment, believing that her team had the potential to emerge victorious.
Kedogo acknowledged the need for the team to settle into the game quicker but expressed confidence in their ability to bounce back in the upcoming matches.
Today, the women’s team will confront Benin, with a win ensuring them a second-place finish in the group. The basketball competition at the Africa Beach Games specifically features players in the U23 age category.
Despite the initial setbacks, both Kenyan basketball teams remain determined to improve their performances in the following matches.
These early challenges will serve as valuable lessons, motivating the teams to strive for success in their upcoming encounters at the Africa Beach Games.
